Avoiding Common Tree Mistakes

Do's And Don'ts Of Tree Removal

30 July 2015
by Chiara Brun

Owning a home has introduced you to a whole new world of chores and responsibilities. It's also given you a lot of satisfaction, including friendly relationships with your neighbors. That's why you don't want to waste any time in getting rid of a dying silver maple tree that's threatening to fall on your yard and possibly your neighbor's during the next storm.

As a first time homeowner, you've never hired a tree removal service before. You're eager to participate in the process as much as possible but don't want to overstep or interfere with the professionals. Here are some tips so you know what to expect throughout the process.

Estimates

Contractors are similar to just about any other business in that they compete with one another. You'll probably find each one is willing to provide you with a free estimate as a courtesy. Do take them up on this.

However, don't schedule them to all arrive at your house at the same time. This will put the focus on the competing bids rather than the job at hand. It might also make the contractors uncomfortable, as they're displaying their style in front of rivals.

Insurance

You may notice a big difference in the price estimates, and this is not something to ignore. The price may reflect whether or not a company has an insurance policy that covers all of its tree removal specialists.

The lower the price, the more questions you should ask about whether or not the company and all of its workers are insured. Be sure and ask to see insurance coverage details in writing so that you are not liable in the event of a mishap during the job. In 2014, nearly 80 people lost their lives to tree removal related deaths, some of whom were tree removal experts.

Preparation

Even though it's clear the branches on the tree are weak, don't take it into your own hands to remove them. This might seem like a simple enough task, but there are dangers tied to branch removal, particularly for an inexperienced layperson. Depending on the way the limb is cut, it could fall in a direction you're not expecting and cause injury or death to you or someone nearby.

Do leave the branch removal process to the professionals. Tree removal specialists are trained to be keenly aware of their surroundings. They know what tool to use and when to use it as well as the ideal spot to make the cut, all of which influences the manner in which the tree and branches will fall.

About Me

I have always been one of those people who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty, which is why I started trimming my own trees. However, after doing it by myself for a few years, I realized that my yard was starting to look a little DIY, which wasn't the look that I was going for. To make things right, I decided to invest in a professional tree service who could come out and fix up my yard. They were amazing to work with, and they even came with all of their own equipment. This blog is all about the benefits of professional tree care, versus doing things on your own.